FCT Extends School Term by Five Weeks to Cover Learning Gap After Prolonged Teachers’ Strike
In response to the months-long disruption caused by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) strike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has approved a five-week extension of the 2024/2025 third term academic calendar for public primary schools.
The move follows the resolution of the indefinite strike, which began on March 24 and lasted over three months before being called off on July 9, after negotiations facilitated by the FCT Minister.
According to a circular issued by the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Dr. Alhassan Sule, dated July 23, the extended school term will run from Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 29, 2025, covering all six area councils Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Kuje, Kwali, and Gwagwalada.
To accelerate curriculum recovery, UBEB also mandated the addition of one extra period per day for pupils in Primary 4 to 6, focusing on key subjects affected during the strike.
“This adjustment is necessary to bridge the academic gap created by the prolonged industrial action,” the circular noted, urging Education Secretaries and head teachers across public schools to comply fully.
The administration emphasized that the decision is intended to stabilize the school calendar and ensure students are not academically disadvantaged heading into the next session.
The strike, which disrupted learning for thousands of pupils, sparked concern among parents, education stakeholders, and civil society groups, many of whom had called for urgent interventions to recover lost time.
With the extension now approved, school authorities are expected to implement intensive teaching schedules to meet essential learning benchmarks before the new session begins.
